Myasthenia Gravis

Pregnancy & MG

06/25/2008

Question:

I am currently being treated with prednesilone and mestinon for Ocular Myasthenia Gravis. I am very worried about the side effects of this on an unborn child. What are my chances of having a normal, healthy baby???

Answer:

Medication use during pregnancy is always a matter of weighing risk vs. benefit -- something that can not be done by internet. You should talk this over with your treating neurologist. It is often important to discuss the timing of stopping medications with your treating neurologist. Sometimes we have patients stop their medications as a trial to see how they will do. It also allows you to be off medications (if that is the safest plan) when you conceive.

Mestinon is rated category B (no evidence for risk but good evidence assuring safety is lacking) and prednisolone is C (risk uncertain).

If you do plan to have a baby, you should make sure that the OB is aware of your MG. There is a temporary form of MG that can affect the baby at birth and for days afterward. Also MG could become generalized during the pregnancy and this would affect methods of delivery and other management decisions.

The key is to work with your neurologist and OB. The odds are quite good that you will have an uneventful pregnancy and a normal healthy baby. It is just important to be prepared if things do not go smoothly.

Response by:

Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More)